The UFC will soon have a new home, and CEO Dana White is confident the multibillion-dollar deal behind it will enable a “more affordable and accessible” future for the globally popular MMA enterprise.
Keep reading for more on what you need to know about the deal, which goes into effect next year.
Paramount is the “exclusive home” of UFC starting in 2026
Monday, Aug. 11, TKO Group Holdings announced a seven-year media rights deal under which “all UFC events in the U.S.” would be exclusive to Paramount starting in 2026. Per the terms of the deal, UFC events, including Fight Nights, will be available via the Paramount+ streaming platform. Select events will also be broadcast on CBS.
As pointed out in press notes, this means Paramount will indeed be moving “away from UFC’s existing Pay-Per-View model.” Put another way, events will be available to Paramount+ subscribers “at no additional cost.”
The Paramount+ and UFC deal is worth $7.7 billion
Tucked into Monday’s press release are some details on the financial aspects of the deal, including word that it boasts an average annual value of $1.1 billion. Given the seven-year term of the agreement, this amounts to a total $7.7 billion.
UFC CEO and president Dana White says the deal is a “huge win” for fans and athletes
"This historic deal with Paramount and CBS is incredible for UFC fans and our athletes,” White said Monday. “For the first time ever, fans in the US will have access to all UFC content without a Pay-Per-View model, making it more affordable and accessible to view the greatest fights on a massive platform.”
White continued, "This deal puts UFC amongst the biggest sports in the world. The exposure provided by the Paramount and CBS networks under this new structure is a huge win for our athletes and anyone who watches and loves this sport.”
What have other execs said about the massive UFC and Paramount deal?
“I couldn’t be more excited to join forces with Dana, Ari, and Mark,” David Ellison, chairman and CEO of Paramount, said Monday. “Rarely do opportunities arise to partner on an exclusive basis with a global sports powerhouse like UFC – an organization with extraordinary global recognition, scale, and cultural impact.”
Ellison continued, “Paramount’s advantage lies in the expansive reach of our linear and streaming platforms. Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our broader strategy — driving engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty, and the addition of UFC’s year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win. We look forward to delivering this premium content to millions of fans in the U.S., and potentially beyond.”
Ariel Emanuel, executive chair and CEO, of TKO, called the move “a milestone moment” for UFC.
“This is a milestone moment and landmark deal for UFC, solidifying its position as a preeminent global sports asset,” Emanuel said Monday. “Our decade-long journey with UFC has been defined by continuous growth and expansion, and this agreement is an important realization of our strategy. We believe wholeheartedly in David’s vision and look forward to being in business with a company that will prioritize technology as a means to enhance storytelling and the overall viewing experience.”
TKO president and COO Mark Shapiro also spoke out, underscoring the “significant reach” made possible by this multibillion-dollar deal.
“Our new agreement unlocks powerful opportunities at TKO for years to come – meaningful economics for investors; expanded premium inventory for global brand partners; and deeper engagement for UFC’s passionate fanbase,” Shapiro said Monday. “Just as importantly, our athletes will love this new stage.”